What Happens When Former Enemies Choose Cooperation?
What happens when former enemies choose cooperation over conflict? I spent nearly a decade guiding the ISS through its most fragile years, from our earliest discussions to the on‑orbit operation of this remarkable, pioneering space station. Those experiences taught me that trust is built not through grand gestures, but through small, consistent actions. Today, I share those lessons with organizations, schools, and leaders who want to solve complex problems, bridge divides, and build a future worth leaving to our children. The long view isn't just a perspective. It's a practice. And I'm here to help you make it yours.
Recent Essays, Interviews, and Reviews
The Long View in Practice
We often think of the long view as a grand, sweeping perspective, something we achieve by stepping back. But in my years at NASA, I learned that it's actually sustained by thousands of small, unglamorous decisions made in the trenches of daily work.
David Livingstone's Show
Jim discusses the Progress collision and building trust with Russia – a raw, inside account of how one mistake nearly destroyed the Mir space station and what it taught him about crisis management.
What Readers Are Saying
A growing collection of reader reviews from Goodreads, the BOTM challenge, and independent book clubs. Jim's work is resonating far beyond the space community.
To See Far: Conflict and Cooperation on the Space Frontier
From the cockpit of a Cold War fighter jet to the heart of NASA's most ambitious international partnership, Jim Van Laak's memoir takes readers on an improbable journey. To See Far recounts the true story of how former enemies learned to trust each other in the race to build the International Space Station.
With unflinching honesty, Van Laak reveals the technical crises, political battles, and deeply human moments that nearly derailed the program. From the fire on the Mir space station to the Progress collision that almost destroyed it, this is not just a space book. It's a leadership manual, a case study in cooperation, and a testament to what people can achieve when they choose the long view.
When Rivals Become Partners
CELEBRATING GLOBAL RECOGNITION IN LITERARY EXCELLENCE
We are immensely proud to announce that author James Van Laak has officially been honored with the prestigious 2026 Author Excellence Award by the European Book Club.
This international accolade is a powerful testament to his outstanding contribution to literature and his deeply insightful exploration of space, conflict, and cooperation. His masterwork, To See Far: Conflict and Cooperation on the Space Frontier, continues to capture the minds of global readers, inspiring meaningful dialogue about our shared future on the frontier of human exploration.
When real-world engineering leadership meets timeless literary vision, breakthroughs happen. Join us in celebrating this monumental milestone for a true pioneer.
